When You Make It Home by @LoveClaireAshby – #MondayBlogs review & a #recipe

Welcome to another #MondayBlogs Review & a Recipe

I used to just do reviews on Thursdays but lately I have been posting my #MondayBlogs post with two of my favorite things, a good book paired with a favorite recipe. Today I have When You Make It Home, a debut novel by Claire Ashby and a special Mulled Cider recipe!

Fall is here in Alaska and even though the apple orchards of New England and Eastern Washington are not available, we still can get fresh apple cider from WA at the market. I like making my own with my juicer but sometimes you want something special and only want to spend a brief time making it. This recipe is also great for large crowds too! Juice cook it up ahead of time while you put your makeup on and throw it in a crock pot to keep warm at the event.

I’m becoming a publishing house fan of Red Adept publishing. They seem to have an eye for high quality writers with very unique worlds. When You Make It Home though not in the genre I ever would have picked up on my own but man am I glad I decided to read and review it. It brought up old memories of what it was like when I was pregnant at home with toddlers while my husband was deployed, several different times. (Former military wife of 15 years).

The characters are are well rounded and realistic people who are in no way privileged or perfect. This is not a “soap opera” story this is a story Author Claire Ashby wrought which reflects a situation which you or I could have gone through or are going through. I got done reading this and felt like I had been witness to it from back in the corner. It was a very smooth and clean read. Not a bunch of silly fluff I associate when I pick a book up in this genre.

I loved Meg and Theo, especially Meg. The other characters, Chelsea and Steve were also rather enduring. It has that whole glowly over all good feeling when you read it. (The cover is perfect btw, it really says what the book is about!). I was a tad frustrated at the end but also I knew with such a great story right out of the box, Ms. Ashby will not disappoint with the next one and perhaps I will learn just which questions will be answered!

Like a cup of hot cider, this will make you feel that at home comfy feeling you get when you curl up in front of the picture window this fall. Warm and home sweet home.

Meg Michaels, a bookstore owner, has already walked away from two cheating exes. She’s learned her lesson and has her mind set on success—until she gets knocked up. Embarrassed and unwilling to discuss her situation with friends and family, she wears layers to hide the pregnancy.

When Meg gets sick at a party, she’s mortified. Even worse, Theo Taylor, the guest of honor, discovers her secret. Theo, an Army medic wounded in the war, agrees not to reveal her condition, and the two forge a bond of friendship that blossoms into love.

Theo is soon filling all of Meg’s late-night cravings—and not just the pregnancy-induced ones. But can their love overcome all the obstacles that stand between them and creating a happy family?

I received this book from Publisher, Red Adept in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Pour in maple syrup and juice and heat on medium high till it just starts to boil then reduce heat to simmer without a lid for half an hour. Don't over cook it or it will become bitter.

Remove from heat, stir in the rum if you are going to use it and serve with a cinnamon stick and a cocktail skewer with chunks of apple and folded slices of orange which have been dashed with granulated sugar (I like using raw sugar because it looks even more warm and inviting).

About Claire Ashby

Claire Ashby was born and raised in the heart of Atlanta. At a young age, she began keeping journals and over time embellished the details of her quiet days. Eventually, she let go of reality altogether and delved completely into the world of fiction.

When she’s not reading or writing, she spends her time watching extreme survival shows and taking long walks after nightfall. She has an unnatural love of high places, but still regrets the time she skydived solo. She believes some things are better left to the imagination. She resides in Austin with her family and a pack of wild dogs.

This definitely sounds like one of those books that make you want to curl up and drink the cider and read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, I am intrigued. I also love the cider recipe and see a couple of additions to my usual spices that I will certainly give a try 🙂